Protection against discrimination

EU citizens and residents with disabilities are protected against discrimination when they work or have work-related training, especially regarding pay and working conditions, and membership in organisations of workers or employers.

  • EU legislation also protects persons on the grounds of their sex, race, age, sexual orientation, and religion.
  • The employer is obliged to provide reasonable accommodation. This means that the employer must take measures to adapt the work place to an employee with disabilities, such as removing physical barriers by installing ramps, facilitating access of visually impaired employees to information technologies, or altering working times to accommodate the needs of workers with disabilities. Failure to provide reasonable accommodation constitutes discrimination.

Consult Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation.

If you have been discriminated in access to employment, please check part 6 of the guide to know who can help you. 

Working without a permit

If you have an EU passport you have the right to work in another EU country without a work permit. You have the same rights as nationals of the host country regarding access to work, assistance from employment services, and financial support to help you find work.